All right I think it is time I started a build thread.
I am finally working on the '89 Ramcharger that I spent 12 days and 6200 miles traveling to AZ from VT to pick up two springs ago.
There is a previous thread on DTR where it was referred to as Moonshine, you guys that have been here for a few years will remember I am sure.
Due to issues actually getting the last of the parts I paid for from the seller, I have been bitter and not felt like working on it.
Well, my old dog passing on Christmas eve made me take a little time off and bitter or not, I am ready to throw down the gauntlet and get the Ramcharger on the road.
On that note I will now call my project The Gauntlet.

The basic build concept is a '89 Ramcharger that is rust free from AZ, a '92 12V that I am "NON intercooling" 3/4 ton axles with 3.54's, and a Getrag 4x4 set up.
The truck was originally a 2wd auto gasser that will end up being a diesel powered 5 speed 4x4.

The past three nights I have headed out to the shop tapped a beer and turned a few wrenches.
Tonight my daughter joined me for a bit.
I am prepping the motor for some new gaskets and a few new parts
She helped me pop the exhaust manifold off so I can install new gaskets.
I broke all the bolts free and she spun them all out from there.
SHE swapped in the 1st gen motor mounts over from the half baked 2nd gen mount plan on my '92 motor.
We removed all the accessories left on the 12V and the harmonic balancer for a KDP and killer case bolt fix when we pop the cover off.
We also made sure that the motor turned over freely as I have never seen it run.
I threw four flywheel bolts in the back of the crank and spun it over with a pry bar.

The past two nights I got the radiator upper neck swapped to the earlier style with a new gasket and thermostat. I also tapped the exhaust manifold for a pyro probe.
I had to brainstorm a custom cross over pipe as the one that was made for it never got shipped to me…
Loudhornsrule sent me some pictures of a set up he made for his truck, that I think I can modify to get what I need…Thanks man!

Well just wanted to say the ball is rolling and it was a great night in the shop wrenching with my daughter!

 

First and Sub'd. Will be watching this one!

 

Glad to hear your daughter is involved. I know my son just turned two but to me that's no excuse for laziness

I am glad to hear that out of the sadness a spark has been lit. Your a truly good person on this site. I know it will turn out great and I will be following this build with passion.

 

He wants a fastback 'cuda to work on, and until then he's holding out..

 

Oliver's project has begun... At least he has the right technician on the job today....

 

Yeah that is my all star, super awesome, shoeless Mopar technician right there!
Thanks for the positive comments and help guys.

 

Shoe-less ?

What up wit dat homey ?

 

Well luckily my shop is super clean, as she seems to hate to wear shoes.
When you have a good technician like that, you don't want to ask too many questions...

 

....That really made me laugh!

I have a friend who lives down in Oregon who goes bar foot most of the year. He doesn't even put anything on his feet when he's welding...and he does that a lot!

Glad your finally getting to Moonshine...now The Gauntlet....will be watching this as well.

 

Sounds like my youngest daughter, she wears flip flops in the winter to do her outside chores.

I have had both my girls help me with routine maintenance and other repairs. It's good for kids to actually know how stuff works and to do their own maintenance/repairs. Especially girls, even if they don't actually do their own work they will not get taken advantage of at a repair shop if they understand the situation.

It didn't stick with my oldest though. She didn't even know how to pop the hood on her car when she went to jump her mother's car. I asked her how had she been checking her fluids then - she said she hadn't - teenagers!

Anyway, keep her involved and helping, for her sake and yours, shoes or not.

Sorry you had a bad purchasing experience. I remember the RC from the PO's posts. I think the new name is better and removes any bad memories. Remember the Clint Eastwood movie of the same name?

 

That is great!
I don't remember the Clint Eastwood movie, but now I have something I want to watch.
I kinda hate sitting around watching TV or movies, so I don't do it often.
Over the past year my girlfriend mentioned if I watched a movie with her I could pick it.
Well after watching The Blues Brothers, The Vanishing Point and Dirty Harry, Crazy Mary as my last three picks she is probably ready for a NON Mopar themed movie!

I love it! We have a Chuck Norris and a Clint Eastwood diesel Ramcharger flavored build going on at DTR at the same time.

 

Glad to see you are getting around to working on this one Oliver.

 

The day he helps me work on it is the day I will let him drive it. So he has a ways to go

 

We all know Chuck Norris is the badest action star there ever was. He's the only man that can sneeze with his eyes open and round house kick you in the throat before you could say gesundheit. I would drive that Lone Wolf machine

Oliver I long for the day Major is helping lose knuckle skin. Enjoy it my friend

 

Just sayin.............